Frederick d



P. D. FORD. MAIL POUCH.

(No Model.)

No. 455,393. Patented July 7,1891.

me roams vnus cm, wow-1.1mm, wlsnmmou, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK D. FORD, ()F OEDAR RAPIDS IOXVA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF TIVO-FIFTHS TO J A MES MORTON AND JOHN B.

BEVER, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

MAIL-POUCH.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 455,393, dated July-7, 1891. Application filed June 16, 1890. Renewed May 5, 1891. Serial No. 391,657. (No model.)

The object of my invention is to so 0011- a struct a mail-pouch as to provide for the safe and quick closing of the same and the more convenient operationof the pouch, particu- I larly when open to receive mail.

The invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fullylset forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a 2c part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front view in perspective of the pouch as closed.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the pouch'open.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same in the line 0c w of Fig.4 and with the clamps and hasps in looking positions, and Fig. at is a fragmentary rear elevation showing the position of the parts when the pouch is open and hung up.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention is designed to remove the difficulties and inconveniences incident to the use of the common mail-pouch. This common pouch as ordinarily constructed is provided 5 with a flap to close the mouth of the pouch, and this with a number of staples or loops adapted to enter slots in the bodyof the pouch. The pouch is fastened by passing a strap through these loops and suitably securing the o ends of the strap. The operation oflacing up and unlacing these'straps is one requiring considerable time and care, and it is often the case that the operator must open and empty or fill and close the pouch in the shortest possible time. It is important, therefore, that the pouch be so constructed as to admit of the greatest possible dispatch in the opening and closing of the pouch. So, also, in placing the ordinary pouch in position to receive mail it is common to tuck the flap-inside the mouth of the pouch and insert the loops or staples in the slots in the back of the pouch. Indeed, this must be done before the pouch can be placed in position to receive the mail. This also requires time, the expenditure of which 5 5' this invention is designed to remove.

Referring now to the drawings, A is the pouch,which is of the ordinary type as to its general construction, being provided with a flap A to close the mouth and a looped strap B for convenience in carrying, dragging, or hanging up when not in use. In the construction of the device for locking thepouch, however, certain improvements are introduced, which are described as follows: In a suitable 6 ring or eye 0 at the back of the pouch are hung two clamps D D. These clamps are similar in form and consist each of the part D, attached to the ring, and the part D,

hinged to the other end of the part D by a ringv a. The part D is in the natureof a hasp, being provided with a slot 1), adapted to receive the staple E, extending in an opposite direction from the ring 0 and adapted to pass through slots 0. and d in the front part of the pouch and in the flap, respectively. For convenience the tag-holder F is attached di-- rectly to the metallic escutcheon G, which serves to protect the slot in the flap.

As will be seen by reference to Figs. 3 and at, the ring 0 and staple E are connected with l a plate'f, suitably riveted to the back side of the pouch and near the upper endthereof. The ring and the staple may be riveted to the plate or formed integral therewith, as would preferably be the case if made of malleable iron.

The operation of the device will now be understood. To close the pouch the staple E is passed through the slots in the front of the 0 pouch and in the flap. The clamps are brought around from opposite sides, as shown in Fig.

1, and the slotted ends of the hasps D are secured in position over the staple by means of the usual padlock.

From the nature of the device it will be seen that the operation of closing or unclosing the pouch is one that maybe very quickly performed, since there is no strap to be inserted through a series of staples and but a single staple to be inserted in slots. Furthermore, the clamps are of such a nature as to close tightly every part of the mouth of the pouch, so that the insertion or escape of a letter at any point is prevented. The pouch is hung on the rack in the usual way, and for this purpose is provided with slots e e, adapted to engage with the usual hooks on the rack. The pouch is placed in position to receive mail by tucking the flap inside the mouth, as shown in Fig. 2, an operation which is quickly performed, as there is but one staple to insert.

It will be seen that when in this position the tag is directly before the eye of the operator. The vertical slots 9 9 near the mouth of the pouch in Fig. 2 are such as are commonly made in mail-pouches to receive the staples with which said pouches are provided. In this device they. are only employed in hanging the pouch up on the hooks provided in the office or car for that purpose.

In returning mail-pouches empty it is usual to inclose them in tie-sacks. To do so in the case of the present device it is but necessary to fold the clamps together crosswise, not necessarily around the pouch as for closing, but at the back of the pouch, and roll the pouch up.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is-

1. In a mail-pouch, the combination, with the pouch proper and a flap to close over the mouth thereof, of a staple passing through said flap, a pair of hinged clamps adapted to inclose the pouch and..fiap, said clamps being secured at one end to the back of the pouch and at the other end provided with a slot to engage with the staple aforesaid, and means for locking said clamps in position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a mail-pouch, the herein-described clamping device for the mouth of the pouch, consisting of a ring or eye at the back of the pouch, clamp-irons D D, loosely attached thereto, hasps D D, hinged to said clampirons D D by rings a a and having slots b b, a staple 'E, adapted to pass through a slot in the flap of the pouch and through said hasps, and means, substantially as described, for securing said hasps in position.

3. The combination, with a mail-pouch, of clamp-irons attached to the back side of the pouch, hasps hinged thereto at the sides of the pouch and adapted to overlap at their meeting place, and means, substantially as described, for fastening the free ends of the hasps at a common point.

- In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK D. FORD.

Witnesses:

L. M. PEoK,

S. W. BRAINERD. 

